In a major enforcement drive to curb the illegal trade of counterfeit ESSE cigarettes, KT&G, along with its legal partners S.S. Rana & Co. and enforcement authorities, recently conducted simultaneous raids on 14 wholesalers across Delhi NCR. During the commission, the appointed Local Commissioners seized all products which were found carrying the ESSE mark.

They also inspected the available documentation which was found. As the counterfeit trade functions in an unorganized manner no systematic or methodical record keeping was found at either of the wholesalers. This coordinated action has shaken up the market, disrupted illegal supply chains and sent a strong and unequivocal message to operators involved in the counterfeit ESSE cigarette business.

KT&G has filed a case in the Delhi High Court against a total of 14 defendants, carrying out illegal operations across NCR and the raids were conducted under the direction of the Hon’ble court.

The raids form a part of KT&G’s broader strategy to strengthen market compliance, protect consumer rights and prevent the spread of substandard and unsafe counterfeit ESSE cigarettes. With illicit and counterfeit tobacco products continuing to proliferate in several Indian cities, KT&G confirmed that more such enforcement actions will soon be undertaken across the city and a countrywide crackdown across the country, with upcoming operations planned in Mumbai, Bengaluru, Chennai, and Hyderabad.

Commenting on the enforcement action, Mr. Vikrant Rana, Managing Partner, S.S. Rana & Co., said: “The explosion of illicit and counterfeit cigarettes in India is a serious challenge that undermines government revenue, compromises public health, and disrupts fair market competition. The recent raids in Delhi highlight how coordinated enforcement can disrupt illegal supply chains and protect Indian consumers from unsafe products. We are committed to supporting KT&G in these nationwide anti-counterfeiting efforts and will continue to initiate strong civil and criminal proceedings to ensure that violators are held fully accountable under Indian law.”

KT&G confirmed that it will pursue vigorous civil and criminal proceedings against any manufacturer, distributor, wholesaler or retailer involved in producing or selling counterfeit ESSE cigarettes.

Consumers are strongly advised to purchase ESSE products only from authorised dealers. Counterfeit cigarettes do not comply with mandatory health standards, may bypass pictorial warnings and often use unregulated raw materials that pose serious health risks.

Inquiries regarding genuine ESSE products in India may be directed to KT&G’s official distributor, Kedara Trading LLP, which is the only authorised channel permitted to distribute and sell legal ESSE products in India.